Towing-line



C. H. WALLES.

TOWING LINE.- APPLICATION FILED JAN- 12, I920.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

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(him/M044 UNITED STATES CARL H. WALLES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOWING-LINE.

Application filed. January 12, 1920.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL H. lVALLns, citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Towing-Lines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tow lines and refers more particularly to resilient connections for automobile tow lines.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient tow line having improved means for removably attaching the tow line to the axle of an automobile, and having resilient means carried thereby to resist the usual tendency of such a line to break when the load is suddenly applied.

lVith the foregoing object in view, this invention comprises the new and useful details of construction and arrangement, which will be fully described herein, illustrated in the annexed drawings, and claimed more specifically hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of the improved tow line;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the resilient anchoring means;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the anchoring loop and abutment washer;

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the anchoring means, shown partly in section.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the improved tow line comprises a cable 5 having its end doubled and formed into a loop 6 in which is carried a connecting hook 7. The end of the cable is engaged securely at 9 to the tow line 111 any suitable manner, as by wrapping. The doubled end of the cable is preferably provided with a tubular fabric cover or sheath 10, which for the purpose of the present embodiment may be a length of hose positioned to prevent the tow line from rubbing the axle 11 of the automobile when in place thereon. Adjacent to the inner end of the covered section 10 is a clip 12 of any suitable type adapted to clamp the hose securely to the cable. An abutment in the form of a washer 13 is carried on the cable against clip 12, a central perforation 1 through the washer allowing the washer to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Serial No. 350,806.

purpose to be presently explained. Another abutment washer 19 is positioned within the seat formed by the inturned stops 17, the washer being centrally perforated to receive the stops and tow line in an obvious manner. A coil spring 18 is carried about the tow line with one end thereof seated against abutment 13, the other end being seated against abutment 19, the diameter of the spring being less than the distance between the loop members so that the spring will clear the loop. The stops are adapted to enter the coils of the spring, as will be clearly seen by reference to Fig. 4.

In use, the doubled end of the cable is adapted to be looped above the axle 11 of the automobile, as previously pointed out, and the book 7 engaged in the end of anchoring loop 16. It will be apparent that when the cable is drawn tight, the weight of the load will form a straight line pull on hook 7 and anchoring loop 16, the spring 18 resisting the tendency of the loop to slide forward on washer 13. When the load is sufficient to compress spring 18, the loop will then slide on the washer until the stops 17 contact with the washer 13, whereupon the pull will be direct on the cable and anchoring loop, the clip 12 preventing the washer from sliding on the cable. It will also be seen that when the tow line is subjected to a jerk, the shock of such a pull will be absorbed by the action of spring 18, relieving the cable of the usual tendency to break.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that this invention provides an improved connection for tow lines having resilient means for absorbing the shock when the load is applied thereto suddenly.

The invention is shown applied to a tow line, but it will be understood that it may also be used in connection with hauling lines of any kind, elevator cables, hoisting lines, etc.

I claim:

1. The combination with a tow line, of a resilient anchoring device attached to said line back of its terminal, and means for decoil spring between the abutment and the tachably connecting the end of the lin to inturned ends of the loop, the aforesaid for- 10 said device. werdiy extending portions being; positioned 2. A resilient anci'ioring means oompiisto he intercepted by the abutment to limit ing a supporting member, an abutment on the forward movement of the loop. the supporting member a loop slidabie i'ela- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. tive to the abutment and having inturned and forwardly extending rear ends and a; CARL H. ALLES. 

